The public is invited to join Escambia County for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion of Olive Road East Phase 1, and a groundbreaking ceremony for Olive Road East Phase 2 on Wednesday, May 9.
The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at 2603 E. Olive Road at the pond location, and limited parking will be available on the east side of Dreamland Skate Center, located at 2607 E. Olive Road, with additional parking available at the rear pond entrance access area located at 7965 Kipling St.
The overall Olive Road project will improve the roadway condition, provide pedestrian sidewalks, bike paths, improve safety, and resolve drainage issues along Olive Road from Palafox Street to the current Johnson Avenue intersection.
On Feb. 5, 2015, the county awarded Roads Inc. a construction contract for $4,531,541, for Olive Road East Phase 1 Project, and construction began on March 16, 2015. The project improved pedestrian and traffic capacity with one travel lane in each direction and a center bidirectional turn lane, with sidewalks and bike paths on both sides.
On March 15, the county awarded a construction contract in the amount of $6,281,788 to Panhandle Grading and Paving for Olive Road East Phase 2 Project, with construction commencing by the end of May. The planned completion date for Phase 2 is June 2, 2020, but may likely be extended for justified work delays such as weather, utility conflicts, changes, etc.
Phase 2 will continue pedestrian, traffic capacity, and drainage improvements, including Johnson Avenue realignment and resurfacing at Winding Lane, traffic light at the Harbor Square intersection, and an added walking path around the upper bank of the Olive Road Phase I pond.
For more information on the project, please contact Escambia County Engineering Manager Chris Curb at 850-595-3419.
